Thursday, March 05, 2009

שטח סגור | Closed Zone | منطقة مغلقة

שטח סגור | Closed Zone | منطقة مغلقة

New Short Film from the Animation Director of "Waltz with Bashir": Gaza Is "Closed Zone"

Closed Zone

Despite declarations that it has "disengaged" from the Gaza Strip, Israel maintains control of the Strip’s overland border crossings, territorial waters, and air space. This includes substantial, albeit indirect, control of the Rafah Crossing.

During the past 18 months, Israel tightened its closure of Gaza, almost completely restricting the passage of goods and people both to and from the Strip.

These policies punish innocent civilians with the goal of exerting pressure on the Hamas government, violating the rights of 1.5 million people who seek only to live ordinary lives – to be reunited with family, to pursue higher education, to receive quality medical treatment, and to earn a living.

The effects of the closure were particularly harsh during the military operation of Dec. 2008 - Jan. 2009. For three weeks, Gaza residents had nowhere to flee to escape the bombing.

Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement calls on the State of Israel to fully open Gaza's crossings and to allow the real victims of the closure - 1.5 million human beings - the freedom of movement necessary to realize their dreams and aspirations.

I'm pleased to say that my son and I had the honor of seeing "Waltz With Bashir" two weeks ago. Even in our little backwater community we have a yearly international film festival. If you get the opportunity, see it. A very thought provoking, powerful piece regarding the effects on the people who fight wars, particularly illegal, immoral and illegitimate ones.

No comments: